Debbie Craft, RN, a member of the Vinton Baptist Church, Vinton, Ohio team was a member of a mission team that served in Grand Goave in March, 2010.

 

I came here on a journey to answer God's call on my life.  Since I was a little girl watching other missionaries tell their stories in my church, I knew God wanted me to go help others in a foreign land - because He gave me the capacity to love others unconditionally for who they are . . . God's creation.

 

The opportunity was now and I seized it.  I am a nurse by profession with a passion to love and teach children and young people.  I knew I didn't have the back to dig trenches, but I wanted God to use me however He could. 

 

He placed us at a camp where a nurse had barely settled in, hoping to set up a clinic.  I and my friend Robin, who is also an RN, were able to help her organize and stock medications and medical supplies.  We also assisted her as she made several "home health" visits, treating members of the local community as well as members of our mission team.  It has been very fulfilling to be able to play a part in the early stages of this health ministry.

 

The rest of our group has been equally blessed by their participation in rebuilding the school.  The hardest part is always the foundation.  They have had to dig by hand along a deep trench and make supports for pillars.  Today, after 4 days of hard work, they are just now beginning to pour the concrete.  Wow!

 

My greatest joy has been the opportunity to teach the local people who come in the evenings to learn English.  We have had an exchange of songs and choruses.  Really, it has evolved into worship:  "We are family, We are family, Working together in harmony"!  Black and white working together, we have truly become family.  When I go home, I will miss my new family.

 

They long to learn English.  They love the Lord.  They beg me to stay and teach, but I can't.  So, as I prepare to leave, I pray that God sends a few new teachers and a few more nurses and many more construction workers.